SAN ANTONIO — The love affair between Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld will continue, for now.

A petition with thousands of signatures calling on Southwest to end its partnership with SeaWorld was not enough to sway the company, officials said Wednesday.

More than a dozen protesters delivered the petition, which has more than 27,000 signatures, to the airline's headquarters in Dallas on Wednesday.

“At this time, our partnership with SeaWorld will continue,” a company spokesman wrote on Southwest's website. “We are engaged with SeaWorld related to the recent concerns being raised. We are in a listening and education mode.”

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The petition was sparked by the release of “Blackfish,” a documentary that raises questions about how SeaWorld captures and cares for its animals and trainers.

Robin Merritt, who started the petition on Change.org, said she was “encouraged” that Southwest responded to the petition but that “it's disheartening that they're holding on to the partnership during this process.”

Southwest and SeaWorld offer vacation packages and discounts, and the airline has a fleet of SeaWorld-themed aircraft.

Backlash against SeaWorld was prevalent on social media sites and caused at least eight musical acts, including Willie Nelson and Heart, to cancel performances at SeaWorld locations.

Petitions for the bands to cancel their performances were started on Change.org, as well.